Halifax West High School Class of 2019 Parents Halifax West High School Class of 2019 Parents

Counsellors Leah Ann Cameron: A-F Tanya Ellsworth: G-M Lori Welsh: N-Z Secretary……………Cathy Fitzgerald

HWHS Guidance Website  Guidance WebsiteGuidance Website

Career Cruising   User name……halifax  Password……..west

WHAT IS A CREDIT?  Most courses taken at Halifax West count as one credit except:  Math 10  Science 10 A/B  Math 11 (tentative Sept 2016)

THE SEMESTERED SYSTEM  TWO SEMESTERS PER YEAR (Sept-Jan, Feb- June). Exams at end of each semester.  FOUR COURSES PER SEMESTER (except Music Band/English, Resource/English and Math 10 which run full year)  FIVE 1 HOUR PERIODS PER DAY  Students take 8 courses in grade 10, 7 courses in grade 11 and 6 in grade 12

HWHS Timetable (Rotating Fridays) 9:10- 10:10 ABCDA 9:10- 10:25 10:17- 11:17 BADCB 10:32- 11:47 11:24- 12:24 ABCD 12:24- 1:08 lunch Lunch 11:47- 12:38 1:13- 2:13 CDABC 12:43- 1:58 2:20- 3:20 DCBAD 2:05- 3:20

Attendance  taken each period and monitored by vice-principals  phone calls are made for every absence and recorded on Power School (U, E, ACT, SC)  Absences can be called in the day of or students return with a parent/guardian note which should be signed by the teacher and turned in to Guidance

Attendance Cont’d  Students can be withdrawn from a course/semester because of excessive absences  Attendance and achievement go hand in hand

Power School: Parent Portal  Timetable/schedule  Attendance  Teacher / contact  Academic Progress  Same as Jr. High Account

Exemptions  opt out of final exam; based on attendance  Exam can be written and not counted  Up to date in class  some exceptions (math & English), Pre IB  Max 6 absences per class (includes excused absences)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS  TOTAL OF 18 CREDITS  3 ENGLISH 10,11, and 12  2 MATH  2 SCIENCES(Sci10, Bio11, Phy 11or Chem 11 + one other)  2 OTHER (Math, Science, Tech)  1 CANADIAN STUDIES (Mkq11, Acs11, Chs11)  1 GLOBAL STUDIES (GGS12, HGS12)  1 FINE ARTS (Art, Music or Drama)  1 PAL or Yoga or Phe  No more than 7 grade 10 credits towards 18 mandatory  Minimum 5 grade 12 credits

Math Essentials 10 Basic math skills with a very practical approach For students struggling significantly with Math 9 One-semester course with no formal exam

Math at Work 10 More challenging math concepts, but practical For students meeting outcomes of Math 9 but who have difficulty with abstract concepts such as algebra Students will need to keep up with classwork, however there is minimal homework assigned One-semester course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

Math 10 Abstract math concepts; algebraic For students with a solid understanding of concepts in Math 9, good number sense and algebra skills NOT a one-semester course that is stretched over the entire year … concepts are studied in depth with a significant amount of classwork and homework Full-year course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

Math 10 Pre-IB Abstract math concepts; highly theoretical For students who excel in Math 9 with a very strong understanding of abstract concepts Very rigorous course covering all topics in Math 10 in addition to the more advanced topics necessary for IB math; Students will have approximately minutes of math homework every night. Full-year course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

 Can you go to university without academic math?

Electives  May or may not fulfill requirements  Open level or university prep  Alternates

TECHNOLOGY COURSES  Exploring Technology 10  Business Technology 11  Communication Technology 11  Electrotechnologies 11  Applied Network Technology 11  Construction 10  Design 11

Fine Arts  Visual Art 10  Drama 10  Music 10 Band  Music 10 Explore  Halifax West Fine Arts and Technology Halifax West Fine Arts and Technology

Social Studies  Must take at least one of the following (usually in grade 10 or 11):  Mi’kmaq Studies 11  African Canadian Studies 11  Canadian History 11

Science  Human Biology 11  Biology 11  Oceans 11  Human Biology 11  Biology 11  Oceans 11  Science 10  Science 10A/B

Additional Electives  Core French 10  francais 10I  Spanish 10  Career Development 10  Foods for Healthy Living/Food and Society10

Course Selection Process  Students are given registration sheet.  Descriptions online: Grade 9 Supplement  Students should consult with their teachers/parents/Junior High Counsellor  Jr. High Counsellor Presentations  Hand sheets in to Junior High Counsellors by date set

Selection Process Cont’d  Course Selection entered by students in Power School  Orientation at Halifax West

Grade 10 Course Selection - English  5 MANDATORY 1. English Math (Math10, Math at Work 10, Math 10Essentials, Math 10IPP) 3. Science (Sci 10 or Sci A/B) 4. Fine Arts 10- Art/Band/Drama /Exploring Music 5. Physically Active Lifestyles (PAL11) or Yoga Option - Social Studies (History 10,Mi’kmaq11*, African Canadian Studies 11*, Canadian History 11*) *Meets Canadian History requirement 7. Elective 8. Elective (math elective for Math 10 students)  Plus1 or2 ALTERNATE COURSES (choose these carefully!)

FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM  MUST COMPLETE 9 FRENCH IMMERSION CREDITS FOR FI CERTIFICATE  DELF – French Language Proficiency Tests (must be registered in Fra 12) MINIMUM OF 2 FI CREDITS PER YEAR INCLUDING FRENCH (FRA). At least 4 FI credits in grade 10 year.  THE FRENCH IMMERSION CERTIFICATE IS NOT A BILINGUAL CERTIFICATE

French Immersion Courses fra 10Ifra 11I fra 12I sci 10Ibio 11I bio 12I mdv 11his 11I hep 12I(HGS) adr 10I *Students leaving French Immersion in Junior High cannot take French 10, only Fra 10I.

Grade 10 FI sample  Required  1. English 10  2. sciences 10I  3. fra 10I  4. mdv 11I  5. ADR 10I or Bio 11I  6. Math (1 or 2 semesters)  7. Elective (or 2 nd half of Math 10)  8. Elective Suggested  Other of bio 11I or adr 10  Elective  Two alternate courses

Course Changes  Course changes WILL NOT BE MADE AFTER YOUR REGISTRATION SHEET IS SUBMITTED.  If you fail a course first semester, you cannot repeat it in the second semester.  Students are choosing courses for the year and they do not have a choice of the semester in which the course falls.

Course Selection  Course Descriptions Course Descriptions

Role of Guidance Counsellors  Social /Emotional Counselling  Mental Health  Mediation  Academic Advising  Career/Vocational Counselling  Post Secondary

Self Advocacy  Accessing Guidance:  Lunch Time Drop-In  Schedule an appointment through Ms. Fitzgerald  Counsellor for appointment

Root Beer Mile

HWHS Activities  Community Involvement  Table Tennis  Weight Room  Chess  Anime  Debating  Snowboarding  Student Government  Tech Crew  Robotics  Coffee Houses  Study Hall  Improv Team  Intramurals  Musical  Gender & Sexuality Alliance  Rotary  Math Club  Model Parliament  Multicultural Club  Curling  Athletic Teams A & B  Ultimate frisbee  Best Buddies  Student Government

Transition Events  HWHS Parent Night: Monday, December 7 th ; 6:30  Grade 9 Orientation at HWHS: Jan 12 (PW & CP) & 14 th (FJ & BS)

Options & Opportunities (O2) Offers students more hands-on learning experiences with a career focus.  Designed to prepare students for successful transitions from high school to work, a career path, or a post-secondary program.  Provides multiple opportunities where students learn in community and workplace settings, link their in-school learning to the workplace, and enhance their employability skills.

… the PROCESS 1. Applications – student and parent 2. Interviews Students will be accepted with potential for reserved seat at NSCC

The Pre-IB and IB Diploma Programs at Halifax West The Grade 10 Pre-IB and Grade 11 &12 IB Diploma are different programs Grade 9 students are only choosing whether or not to enter the grade 10 year Pre-IB program; an enriched/advanced year If there is a chance you might take the IB Diploma program in Grades 11 you need to take the Grade 10 Pre-IB program

What is the International Baccalaureate Programme?  A challenging two year program for students in grades 11 and 12  Recognized at universities in Canada and around the world  Focus on research, writing, critical thinking  Different requirements than PSP